When Chevron U.S.A. Inc. signed on as title sponsor of The Chevron Championship, their vision was to elevate the women’s professional game and make its impact felt for girls and women everywhere by committing to invest $1.2 million dollars to support LPGA’s Foundation programs.

“The Chevron Championship is the LPGA’s signature major championship,” LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan explained. “Chevron has picked up where prior partners have left off by being creative and having a strong vision for what this tournament can be. This is the perfect mix of a partner who is passionate about our mission and a community that stands behind it as well.”

For the past two years, Chevron has partnered with the LPGA Foundation to support women, girls and people of diverse backgrounds both on and off the course. They also committed to Change The Face of Golf through scholarship programs, career days, playing opportunities and more.

Chevron provides opportunities for girls to get into the game by hosting an annual event the week of the major tournament, which further establishes their commitment to creating access for juniors. The Chevron Junior Legacy Pro-Am, hosted by LPGA legend Amy Alcott, gives junior female golfers the unique experience to play alongside some of the greatest players and mentors in LPGA history while also networking with leaders in business and the golf industry.

In addition, Chevron holds Career Days for collegiate athletes from HBCUs and Greater Houston area high schoolers to hear from successful women in sports and business. These Career Days are much more than just a learning opportunity, however. They provide these students with the chance to foster connections, gain awareness of opportunities, and bolster their confidence to become future leaders and one day reach the board room.

Chevron has also staked its claim in the STEM community. Each year the LPGA’s first major championship features the Chevron STEM Zone, an interactive mobile space for students to learn how Science, Technology, Engineering and Math concepts are connected to everyday life. Featured activities include a thermal imaging camera, equipment that demonstrates how human energy works, and now a Girls Golf STEM Academy where girls can learn about the science of the sport.

For one Houston-area teenager who grew up with a passion for both the game and the classroom, Chevron’s focus on golf and STEM has been invaluable. Sophomore Syna Nijhawan’s passion for these areas dates as far back as second grade, when she did a project on the science of golf and dressed as her LPGA role model, Stacy Lewis for the presentation. Jumping forward to 2024, Nijhawan was invited by Chevron to participate in their Media Day at The Club at Carlton Woods. Little did she know she would be playing the 18th hole of the major championship venue alongside her role model and Girls Golf brand Ambassador, Stacy Lewis, while LPGA Commissioner, Mollie Marcoux Samaan served as her caddie.

“I never would have had an opportunity like this if it wasn’t for Chevron,” Nijhawan shared. “Obviously, getting to play with LPGA pros was so special, but I’m even more thankful for Chevron’s influence on STEM here in Houston. Their creation of the Chevron STEM Center at Memorial Park Golf Course has really generated so much interest from those my age.”

These learning opportunities are not reserved just for the local Houston community either.

Together with the LPGA Foundation and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, Chevron has committed over $350,000 to scholarships to ensure that the next generation of students are able to pursue their academic and athletic aspirations through the Chevron Changing the Face of Golf and Chevron Dinah Shore Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded each year to seven female high school seniors of minority background pursuing a full-time, STEM-focused course of study at an accredited college or university in the United States.

In addition to their support of the LPGA Foundation, Chevron has donated more than $5 million to other partners in diversity, inclusion, education and local community impacting organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers, Techbridge Girls, Fab Foundation, KPMG Foundation, Girls Golf of Greater Houston, Catalyst, Brothers in Arms, and the Women in Golf Foundation.

These funds are crucial to keeping smaller community programs alive. For example, Girls Golf of Greater Houston puts this money toward financial assistance for its members and overhead costs that come with running the program.

“As the General Manager of Hermann Park Golf Course, a public facility in the heart of Houston, it means so much to have Chevron reach out to us to see how they can help be a part of our Girls Golf program and the community around the golf course,” said Maulana Dotch. “It means a lot because they could easily have their tournament in The Woodlands, but then the support never reaches down to where we are in Houston. However, Chevron has been very intentional, which makes me feel good because it’s clear they want to make an impact on the sport and women in general.”

And the weekend prior to The Chevron Championship, junior girls ages 11-18 get the chance to compete in the Mack Champ Invitational, hosted by the Cameron Champ Foundation and presented by Chevron. The tournament convenes the game’s best junior golfers of diverse backgrounds for a premier competitive experience and a springboard into top-tier junior tournaments and college scholarships. The winner also earns a spot to play in the LPGA’s first major championship of the season.

“We are thrilled to welcome these world-class athletes to the Houston area for The Chevron Championship,” said Al Williams, Chevron Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “Chevron has been part of the Houston community for over a century, and we are so proud to partner with the LPGA at the first major of the season. We have the winning combination – the best golfers in the world and the Texas hospitality, all coming together to celebrate the very best this game has to offer.”

This year that proved to be Nelly Korda after her resounding victory at The Chevron Championship. At the moment, all eyes are deservedly on her, but behind the scenes, The Human Energy Company has already shifted its focus to helping more women achieve their dreams on and off the course.

 

Stats showing the Impact The Chevron Championship had on Girls Golf this Year

–  (22) Girls Golf Participants played in Cameron Champ’s Mack Championship Invitational

–  (20) Girls Golf Participants played in the Chevron Championship Junior Legacy Pro-Am with Chevron and LPGA Champions 

– (18) Girls Golf Participants joined a 3-hour St. Lukes sponsored Behind the Scenes Tour where they met Brittany Lincicome, did a Q&A with Casey Ceman and got to see the operations offices around the property 

–  (23) Girls Golf Participants joined the High School Career Day hosted by legends Peter Jacobsen & Nancy Lopez. (3) of the 2023 scholars were included in the panel to showcase how the Chevron Scholarship helped them 

– (1) Scholar, Sara Matos, did a featured interview on Golf Channel talking about how Girls Golf changed her life

–  (6) Chevron Scholarship recipients traveled to be on site for 3 days to enjoy a VIP Scholarship Experience. They were transported via Rolls Royce to and from the airport and had several 1:1 moments with LPGA Players 

– (2) eLeader National Board of Director members facilitated activation activities for 3 of the 5 days our activation was open

–  (+600) Girls passed through our Girls Golf Stem Activation featuring a synthetic green build out

– (92) Girls participated in our Earth Day Girls Golf Clinic 

– (~45) Girls Golf participants posed for photos with Nelly, Mollie and Kim McHugh. Golf Channel even made note of how great the pink hats looked surrounding the green!